Well, they’ve done it, they’ve built the Temple. Time for a celebration, but just a small one.
The Lord promises to restore Israel
Zechariah 8:16-23
Temple Completed 516BC
The Temple is completed
Ezra 6:15
Dedication of the Temple
Ezra 6:16-18
The Passover celebration
Ezra 6:19-22
The Restoration 516-400BC
In praise of God the saviour
Psalm 146
In praise of the Lord
Psalm 111
The happiness of a good person
Psalm 112
In praise of God’s goodness
Psalm 113
A man saved from death praises God
Psalm 116
In praise of the Lord
Psalm 117
Judgement on neighbouring cities
Zechariah 9:1-8
A divine deliverer
Zechariah 9:9-17
The celebrations of a new dawn are heartfelt. But there is a different tone to that which prevailed when Solomon built the first Temple. Then, he poured out gold and sacrifices like water. Now, the sacrifices are much more modest - clearly Israel can’t afford the extravagance of Solomon’s time, but neither would they want it. Ascetic Ezra wouldn’t allow it, I’m sure, but there is a sense that the people need to be more careful this time. They know God has given them another chance, and they don’t want to blow it.
There’s a fresh outpouring of praise to God in the Psalms. It has a pronounced emphasis on righteousness, and not trusting in human strength, but only in God. The returned exiles are chastened people, and they have thoroughly learned the lesson that pleasing themselves and going their own way caused them disaster.
All these Psalms have the refrain Hallelu Yah (Praise the Lord), and, though joyful, they are sober. Gone is the wild exuberant praise of David, the lavish adoration of Solomon - these are more restrained. This is Anglican praise, not Pentecostal.
The Lord promises to restore Israel
Zechariah 8:16-23
Temple Completed 516BC
The Temple is completed
Ezra 6:15
Dedication of the Temple
Ezra 6:16-18
The Passover celebration
Ezra 6:19-22
The Restoration 516-400BC
In praise of God the saviour
Psalm 146
In praise of the Lord
Psalm 111
The happiness of a good person
Psalm 112
In praise of God’s goodness
Psalm 113
A man saved from death praises God
Psalm 116
In praise of the Lord
Psalm 117
Judgement on neighbouring cities
Zechariah 9:1-8
A divine deliverer
Zechariah 9:9-17
The celebrations of a new dawn are heartfelt. But there is a different tone to that which prevailed when Solomon built the first Temple. Then, he poured out gold and sacrifices like water. Now, the sacrifices are much more modest - clearly Israel can’t afford the extravagance of Solomon’s time, but neither would they want it. Ascetic Ezra wouldn’t allow it, I’m sure, but there is a sense that the people need to be more careful this time. They know God has given them another chance, and they don’t want to blow it.
There’s a fresh outpouring of praise to God in the Psalms. It has a pronounced emphasis on righteousness, and not trusting in human strength, but only in God. The returned exiles are chastened people, and they have thoroughly learned the lesson that pleasing themselves and going their own way caused them disaster.
All these Psalms have the refrain Hallelu Yah (Praise the Lord), and, though joyful, they are sober. Gone is the wild exuberant praise of David, the lavish adoration of Solomon - these are more restrained. This is Anglican praise, not Pentecostal.
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